It's extremely obviously that Phil has some kind of injury. At what point do you say he's more of a detriment than a positive? He's not shooting the puck at all. The whiff in Game 4 was actually sad. With that shot not available, especially on the Power Play, he's just not helping the cause. Perhaps they at least need someone on the number one power play in his spot. Maybe put Jake out there on the first unit? Or have both Schultz and Letang on the points with Letang taking on a more offensive role.

I'm wondering if Phil has a couple broken ribs? That might explain the hesitancy to shoot.

I freakin' love Phil the Thrill, but right now he looks to be a shell of his usual self.

Probably not a time to experiment, but I wouldn't mind seeing what Sprong could do in the lineup. The experience factor certainly comes into play and he's not the most defensive minded player. Phil's not exactly the most defensive minded player either.

If he’s actually hurt and that’s the reason his performance is down, I doubt it’s something that sitting him for a game or two would fix. There was speculation he got hurt like two months ago. If they could have sat him for a few games and it would have been fine, they would have done so (regardless of his iron man streak). If it’s an injury, my guess is it’s something that won’t be corrected until he can have surgery. I’d argue a less effective Kessel is still better than the alternative, though it is a fair discussion that maybe they should reduce his role. Again, if he’s actually significantly injured. Anytime somebody struggles, he’s obviously injured whether or not he actually is.

I agree that he seems to have been off since that slide into the boards. He looked really bad last night, especially on the PP. I think he at least needs to be off the 1st unit as how much respect is going to get from other teams if we as fans are seeing it? Surely other teams are as well and adjusting to not focus as much on him on the right side which is obviously a disadvantage to the whole unit.

I believe that HCMS has weighed the options and determined that leaving Phil in the lineup is best. That said, he moved 12 to the top line in hopes that 72 and 62 could get Malkin into more of a shooter mentality. Those adjustments are not made without discussion and deep thinking. I realize Phil is hurting, but if HCMS has made the decision to keep him in the lineup, it is after great consideration.

Believe me, I would have loved to see Phil get the patented Phil Kessel wicked wrister from the left dot instead of that whiff. You know that the Caps realize that he's far from 100%. He certainly a pretty good playmaker (underrated in my opinion), but having that shot there on the PP is important. I guess you keep him in the lineup, but it might be time to put him on the second unit if he can't really get an effective shot off. You can't overlook the experience factor in the playoffs.

Sully on Kessel's health: "I don’t think Phil more banged up than anybody else. It’s a physical series, and everybody has bumps and bruises. That's just par for the course this time of year. I don't think there's a team left in the playoffs that doesn't have bumps and bruises"

Sometimes when Phil's output is put into question is when he ends up having an amazing outburst. Maybe he has Washington right where he wants them.

Of course, Sullivan isn’t going to let on even if he is significantly injured.

I think it’s being overblown, though. Although he did slow down over the stretch run and his goal scoring was down, he was still showing that he was capable of his typical shot (see the second to last regular season game vs Columbus). I don’t doubt he’s banged up, but I think he’s also just off his game for whatever reason.

I wouldn’t sit him unless the rest would help.. which it doesn’t seem like it would. I do think the PP would be better off without him though unless he’s able to shoot the puck. He also has looked like he’s been skating in quick sand, when he turns it over I hold my breath.

The irony is that this series is tied and we really should have won game 3 and possibly could have won game 2, and this is with 2 players pretty much producing all the offense. If Kessel was producing (and a few others), and the NHL wasn't screwing us like a 2 dollar whore every game, we could be up 3-1 or even 4-0 right now.